By Dave:
Since we boarded on the 3rd, there have been many rumors and discussions about whether we would still go through the Red Sea as planned. The cruise line has officially decided that it is too dangerous to stick to our original itinerary.
We will skip India, all of the Middle East including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Jordan (Petra), Greece, Turkey -- including Istanbul and Ephesus, Italy, Spain and Portugal (The Azores). We are very disappointed to miss these destinations.
Instead, we will be going to Male, the Seychelles, Tanzania, Mozambique, Durban and Cape Town, South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Gambia, Cape Verde, and Puerto Rico.These are interesting places, but we had hoped to immerse ourselves in the ancient culture of places like Istanbul and Ephesus. We had also arranged visits with members of our churches in places like Mumbai, Singapore, and Dubai.
We had discussed an African tour at a later date, but we might have chosen different locations and in nations to visit. Many of the stops will actually be islands, rather than the mainland of the countries. I guess our adventures in Africa are coming now.
We might get a Safari out of it, and we will get to see the headquarters for the HOPE Early Childhood Development charity in Cape Town that we just started supporting.
It's still an amazing journey, but it's different than what we had planned. Having said that, Holland America had little choice but to choose a safer route.
By Elizabeth:
Houthis, behave!! Don't make me come over there and put you in time out!
The itinerary change is big news, and it represents a lot of work by Holland America to secure new port places and times, work out a schedule that still gets us home in time, canceling all of the excursions planned for that part of the trip, find new excursions, find new places to pick up supplies, cancel with all of the old suppliers, etc. And, while it brings new money to many impoverished ports, it takes away money that the former port authorities, tour operators, restaurants, etc., were counting on. As is so often the case, many small business operators, like the coach drivers to Petra, will suffer for problems other entities have created.
We are disappointed, but we know the Lord has his timing on things. A few people like this itinerary even better than what was planned, but most are mourning not visiting India. Some are still planning to overland from Sri Lanka to see the Taj Mahal. Then, they will fly to the Maldives to catch up with the boat.
Right now, we are headed to Hawaii for three stops, then on to Guam, Saipan, and 5 places in Japan, before heading to China, Viet Nam, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. So, there's no room for complaining. And our one regret was that we would not see Africa, except to pass through Egypt, and we will now. Hopefully, we can arrange to visit churches there.
On a happy note, our travel agents and the ship have been showering Dave with birthday gifts all day. We are planning to join friends for dinner to celebrate Dave.
I am still struggling with Covid, but since I have been officially released, I did go to watercolor class with a mask and sat in a corner. I will wear a mask to dinner, too, but I haven't been able to figure out how to mask and eat at the same time. :)
Enjoy your day, everyone!
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